Win Tickets to LG Fashion Week from TFI!

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi




Wanna hang out with industry Fashionistas?
LG Canada is hooking up Toronto Fashion Incubator with a pair of GA tickets to Toronto's most fashionable event - LG Fashion Week. For all you fashionistas, these passes include entry into the Fashion Environment and access to all afternoon fashion shows from Monday March 29 to Thursday April 1, 2010.
 
We are giving away one pair of General Admission tickets to one lucky person now!

Just be the first person on Monday, March 29th to join or renew your TFI membership in person at TFI, 285 Manitoba Drive, Exhibition Place. We're open from 9am to 5pm (closed 12 to 1 daily).
 
Check out the LG Fashion Week show schedule at www.lgfashionweek.ca.
LG Fashion Week is a 19 plus event.

My New Hot Barbie

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi

Mattel Canada sent me a gorgeous Asian-inspired Barbie to style for LG Fashion Week. One of 12 stunning dolls, part of the Barbie Basics collection, mine has sleek black hair, perfect red lips and of course that famous Barbie figure.

The pressure is on; I'm supposed to dress up her little black dress. You'd think it'd be easy for a former fashion designer like me but it's been 16 years since I last designed and styled an outfit!

Think it's easy? Style Barbie & earn a chance to win your own LBD, created by the winner of the TFI New Labels competition. Click here for details.

Be sure to catch the 5 TFI New Labels finalists and see what they did with their Barbie-inspired LBD collections at the ELLE Canada fundraiser for TFI on April 24th! 

The Fashionista's Den Winner

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi

On Thursday, March 11th, TFI hosted a youth awards night where one lucky youth aged 16 - 29 from one of Toronto's priority neighbourhoods won an amazing prize package valued at over $10,000.

Stephanie MacNeil was named the winner of the first-ever Fashionista's Den Competition! Stephanie won $1,000 cash, a one-year TFI Outreach membership and 50 hours of fashion and business mentoring.

The competition was the culmination of a six-part, free, fashion entrepreneurship program presented by TFI & Youth Employment Services YES called A Passion For Fashion.

Wish us luck! We're applying to the Province of Ontario for another grant to continue the program in 2010 - 2011.

New Labels FINALISTS

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi

What a way to start a fabulous ALL-CANADIAN weekend! Five fabulous fresh faces will face the New Labels runway on April 24/10 at The Carlu.

They are:

Justine Diener & Krisin Poon, Diepo
Hayley Gibson, Birds of North America, Montreal
Paris Li, Toronto
Anastasia Lomonova, Montreal
Jennifer Waters, House of Groves

CONGRATS ladies! One of you will win a prize package valued at $35,000 including $10,000 cash from Mattel Canada!

Wanna find out who wins? Come to the New Labels runway showdown at the ELLE Canada benefit fundraiser for TFI on April 24th. Tickets on sale now at www.elleevent.com

Phenomenal! GO CANADA!

Gust blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi

Feeling REALLY PROUD to be CANADIAN!!! The hockey game between Canada and the US was a nail biter from the start but we WON! And my cousin's husband won a bronze for the Canadian men's bobsled team so now we have an Olympic medalist in the family!

Something to Tweet About

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi
Facebook

Thank you Flare.com! What a lovely surprise to discover that one of Canada's leading fashion magazines read and enjoyed TFI's new Social Media guidebook:

"Suddenly, a tweet can be worth a thousand words, its impact lasting.  Sensing the potential for interaction with customers and new audiences, today’s brand-savvy fashion entrepreneurs are embracing social media at a clip rate.  From Twitter’s quick fix to Facebook’s fan pages, socializing will never be the same.  A new guidebook from TFI (Toronto Fashion Incubator) provides useful tutelage on the subject.  Intro To Social Media: A TFI Guidebook for Fashion Entrepreneurs breaks down how to make the most of the new media with plenty industry examples.  We particularly appreciate the etiquette chapter, a finishing school for the online social set. " - Flare.com

You can get your copy for $30 through TFI Shop

Meet LABEL, TFI's newest Residents

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi
Facebook: Susan Langdon
It's always a pleasure to welcome fresh faces at TFI and earlier this month, design duo Shawna Robinson & Natalie Sydoruk of LABEL moved into studio 3. Shawna, with a background in retail management and buying, and Natalie, a former model and costume designer, started their business in 2007 born out of their mutual desire for quality clothing that fit their respective lifestyles.

LABEL is a clothing line that critiques the fashion industry’s tendency to attach wealth and status to luxury brands. The garments resist the urge to define its wearers, but instead invites the wearer to define the clothing. By reinventing the basics, LABEL inspires and encourages creative styling and wardrobe play which can be easily and affordably incorporated into a busy woman’s lifestyle.

Natalie and Shawna are deeply committed to creating clothing from an ethical standpoint, utilizing, wherever possible, organic, renewable or reclaimed fibers for their garments. All production is by local contractors, with t-shirt designs drawn and printed by hand.

Check out the LABEL website and TFI profile

Looking for a job in the fashion industry?
We've got a seminar just for you!
Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi
Facebook: Susan Langdon

Have you always wanted to work in the fashion industry but don't where to start or what connections you need?

TFI mentor Clint Scott has spent the past 12 years in recruitment, working with leading companies, locally and internationally. His passion and dedication has inspired him to coach hiring managers and partner with his clients to ensure they hire the best available talent for their needs.

Come to this seminar to learn about:

* The types of positions available
* Reasonable expectations for a new fashion grad
* Career path opportunities to and from other industries to fashion retail
* Who you already know
* What companies look for in a new recruit
* How to best prepare yourself
* Next Steps

Date:
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Time:
5:30pm Doors open for Coffee & Networking
6:00pm Seminar Presentation with Q&A

Location:
Toronto Fashion Incubator
285 Manitoba Drive, Pod 3, Exhibition Place, Toronto

Cost:
TFI Students: $20.00 + GST = $21.00
TFI Members: $35.00 + GST = $36.75
Non-Members: $60.00 + GST = $63.00
Available NOW online at TFI Shop

SPACE IS LIMITED and this seminar will not repeat so don’t miss out!

TFI is hiring!
Business Development Manager Wanted
Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi
Facebook: Susan Langdon

TFI is hiring a FT Business Dev Manager
If you're passionate, driven, an over-achiever and fantastic at sales & marketing, TFI wants you! Apply before Feb 25th with a cover letter & resume. Click here for details such as work experience and criteria:

bit.ly/96IqTw

We thank everyone for your interest but please, no agencies or inquiries. We will contact all short-listed candidates after Feb 25th.

It's Social Media Week!

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi
Toronto is hosting its first Social Media Week and you're invited! Check out the schedule of events http://smw-toronto.sched.org/

This Fridiay at 10am, yours truly will be speaking at The Spoke Club with Lisa Tant, editor-in-chief of Flare magazine; Alexandra Palmer, senior curator of Textiles & Costume at the Royal Ontario Museum and Cherie Federau, owner of Shrimpton Couture, about style, social media and seismic shifts in fashion. 

I'll be launching TFI's latest guidebook, Intro to Social Media, a guidebook for fashion entrepreneurs, and sharing some of our research findings.

Hope to see you there!

Elizabeth Grant donation

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi
Check out this gorgeous Elizabeth Grant tote bag filled with skin care products for our silent auction at Guilty Pleasures on February 6th
http://twitpic.com/107ga5 

Drop by The Drake Hotel on Feb 6th from 9am - 4pm (open to the public, FREE) and place a bid to win this outstanding gift!

Recycle your old sweater

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi
Came across a Tweet from @promostyl_US today about a service where you send your old fave sweater to somebody's mom who creates a scarf from the wool. Check this out http://www.rekn.it/

LOVE this idea because it encourages recycling AND it's innovative and entrepreneurial. Can you think of your own unique service to add onto one you have or to start? Bet you can!

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi
Great way to start the day!  Many thanks to Jorge Midence of Midence Oliu Millinery for making a #guiltypleasures silent auction donation! He promises a gorgeous, hand-made couture creation & we can't wait to see it!

http://bit.ly/80ROY9

New Labels judging # 3

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanat tfi

TFI's New Labels Fashion Design Competition is now in its 3rd judging phase with just 2 more rounds to go.

Today, five semi-finalists faced the judges with 6 new outfits. The designers also had to bring back 3 corrected Little Black Dresses from the Dec 17th session so that's 9 outfits in total due today.

The judges had to decide if all 5 would advance to round # 4 (Feb 26th); a very hard decision to make!  Here's a photo of the 5 designers waiting to hear who is in and who is out http://twitpic.com/z8t30.

The good news! All five made it to the Feb 26th round! Congrats to all!

Free list of government programs

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi
My colleague from Industry Canada sent me a select list of government programs available to Canadian apparel companies. Take a look to see if there is support available to you http://bit.ly/7N1526

Guilty Pleasures Event Feb 6th

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi
Hi everyone, hope you had a nice weekend. We have 2 final silent auction gifts that you might be interested in:

Spynga has donated a gift card for 10 classes  good for any weekly yoga, cycling, Spynga or bootcamp class (valued at $150.00 with no expiration date) and we also have a $250 gift certificate from Prettysweet Custom Cake Creations good towards a custom cake valued at $500 or less. 

Hope you're able to drop by The Drake on Feb 6th from 9 - 4 and bid on these great gifts! 100% of the proceeds from the silent auction will support TFI and the community programs we offer such as free educational tutorials and the free Passion for Fashion program which targets youth living in Toronto's priority neighbourhoods.

More silent auction gifts for Guilty Pleasures

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi
Many thanks to all of our generous silent auction donors and to my colleagues for reaching out to your contacts. Within ONE WEEK we managed to secure 20 FABULOUS gifts for our silent auction at The Drake Hotel on Feb 6th.  Be sure to drop by between 9 am - 4pm and check out the auction and Guilty Pleasures designer sale.

Here's a list of our most recent donations:

● Jamieson Laboratories donated a $200 Women's healthy living gift basket http://bit.ly/7MLluF

● Joe Fresh Style sent gift bag of Joe Fresh Beauty Cosmetics http://bit.ly/3qd3uJ bid on it Feb 6 9am-4pm

● The Nature Clean Gift Basket features non-toxic, natural & enviro-friendly products! http://bit.ly/7sWPYP 

● Just in time for Valentine's Day, Triumph International Canada sent a corset, matching bra & thong $400 WOW! http://bit.ly/8JBa93

● Sassoon Salon donated a $100 gift certificate & gift basket featuring Wella hair products http://bit.ly/4xPDuD

● And Nexxus Hair Care Products donated $150 of fabulous products  http://bit.ly/7b24uC 

● A $500 Conair Beauty & Styling Pack http://bit.ly/5rFw9O

● Linda McInnes from Steeped Teas donated a gift basket filled with delish & organic teas http://bit.ly/8MNHYc

● Stunning Swarovski crystal/sterling necklace from Katherine Song http://bit.ly/7wk0fQ

● $200 gift certificate from Spanner http://bit.ly/5w9aZ9 

Hope to see you at Guilty Pleasures on Feb 6th at The Drake!

Another great donation for our Guilty Pleasures Silent Auction

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi
Many thanks to Camilla Jorgensen of MICALLA for donating a Swarovski crystal necklace valued at $800 for TFI's Silent Auction at Guilty Pleasures on Feb 6th at The Drake!!! 

What a FABULOUS prize to win! So far, that's the most expensive item that's been donated to our silent auction and I'll be really excited to see it.

Drake Hotel and Guilty Pleasures

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi
DOH! It was late last night when I did yesterday's blog entry and I forgot one IMPORTANT silent auction gift. I mentioned we received 9 FABULOUS gifts and I forgot a highly coveted one.

The Drake Hotel is offering a Drake gift certifcate valued at $240 that includes one night's stay at the hotel and a $50 food + drink voucher. This is surely to be a popular item so be sure to drop by our event at The Drake on February 6th from 9 - 4pm to place your bid.

Just want to mention how wonderful it has been to partner with The Drake on Guilty Pleasures, now in its FIFTH YEAR!  Jasmine & Ashley are great to work with and the event just keeps getting better all the time.

Guilty Pleasures Silent Auction
Feb 6th at The Drake Hotel

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi
WOW!  What can I say? I'm overwhelmed by all your love & support towards our 5th annual Guilty Pleasures designer sale & silent auction. In just ONE day, we received 9 confirmed donations for our silent auction and have 9 pending donations!  Since there's space for only 20 fabulous gifts, our work is almost done!

Many, many thanks to TFI News managing editor Gail McInnes and TFI Advisory member Laurie Sakamoto for reaching out to everyone! 

Be sure to drop by The Drake Hotel on Saturday, February 6th from 9 - 4 and place your bid in the silent auction on these outstanding items from our FANTASTIC donors (to date).  100% of funds raised in the silent auction will go towards community programming offered by our non-profit organization:

Airplus gift basket valued at $150Make old shoes fit like new again, stay comfortable and feel great with innovative new products from Airplus by Implus Footcare LLC, a leader in innovative footcare solutions

Benefit Cosmetics gift basket valued at $300
San Francisco based Benefit Cosmetics is known for irreverent beauty products, quirky packaging and two crazy twins for company founders.  This Benefit Babe Beauty Basket is filled with the latest & greatest including a complete set of the Crescent Row fragrance collection

Bijouxbead one-of-a-kind necklace valued at $300This gorgeous necklace is donated by local jewellery designer Darlene Martin 

Feathered by Blair Nadeau Lady Victoria cocktail hat valued at $175The highly coveted, black sequinned, Lady Victoria cocktail hat features a pleated raw edged ruffle, black zippered rose embellishment with Swarovski crystals

Jennifer Borgh Events Wedding & Honeymoon Planning $200 gift certificate
Planning a wedding or special event? Certified wedding and event planner Jennifer Borgh can help! Ask anything about your special event including ideas, venues, etiquette and more

Magnolia Boutique $250 gift certificate
Be sure to bid on this fabulous prize which can be redeemed at Magnolia on Eglinton West in Toronto. This stylish boutique features lots of Canadian designers and favourite brands.

Secret Hosiery gift basket valued at $150
Secret Hosiery encourages women to add excitement to their wardrobe with flirty, fun styles & bold colours that are perfect for every occasion and mood. Secret Hosiery adds elegance and flare to your everyday legware

Three's Company Jewellery semi-precious ring & knitted purse valued at $150
Bid on this item and get 2 fantastic gifts! An amethyst stone on a sterling silver setting (size 7) and a large, grey popcorn-style knitted purse with faux-leather braided handle and zip closure

I can't wait to tell you about our other exciting silent auction gifts to be confirmed soon! 

Happy New Year!

Guest blogger: Susan Langdon
Twitter: susanattfi
Hi everyone & Happy New Year! 
I hope you enjoyed the holidays and spent some time with loved ones. Because of course it's not really about what you got, gave or how many, it's about sharing precious moments with your friends, family and relations. 

It's also a good time to reflect back on 2009 and to think ahead to 2010.  On that note, I'm happy to share with you a newsletter I received from Promostyl, a world-leader in trend forecasting: http://bit.ly/6oByKj

I apologize for sending this to you now but I was off work for the holidays, spending time with my sister and mother in Ottawa. Nevertheless, perhaps you can grab some great ideas from Promostyl for the holiday season in 2010. Nothing like planning ahead!

Oh yes, almost forgot!  At TFI we have the Spring/Summer 2011 Promostyl trend books in the Resource Centre now so if you haven't dropped by to see it yet, be sure to call Nina and set up an appoinment. We're also planning a SS2011 Promostyl seminar for late February; keep checking this blog for further updates.